Ernie Els Signature 2017

Cellar for 15 years or more. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Best known as a South African golfing champion, Ernie Els has also enjoyed considerable success in the fine art of wine-making. Ernie Els Vineyards was founded in 1999, with a dream to produce characterful wines from the prestigious region of Stellenbosch. Els winery harvests grapes from the Helderberg appellation, an imposing, mountainous landscape that reaches False Bays shores on Africas southernmost tip. Heavily influenced by the ocean, Helderberg is notably cooler than other Stellenbosch terroirs, giving vines an extended ripening period and the opportunity to develop glorious, complex fruits. This Signature wine is the embodiment of Ernie Els, an easy-drinking red wine with a big character. It is also one of the best Bordeaux blends that you can find in South Africa, largely composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with splashes of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Ernie Els Signature comes with a bouquet of dried red fruits, baking spice, plum and dark chocolate. In the mouth it is full-bodied and powerful, bursting with flavours of ripe plum, cherries and fig. It boasts gorgeous undertones of violets, tobacco and earthy leather. Look for a faint saline edge, acquired from the maritime climate. Ernie Els Signature will be beautiful when paired with a fine steak or a herby potato dish like gratin dauphinois.